Cell-Level Network Slicing for Heterogeneous TA Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network slicing technologies assume that allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) is available on a per-registration area (RA) basis, failing to account for scenarios where slices may not be uniformly available across all tracking areas (TAs) within an RA, leading to inconsistencies and incompatibilities with new deployment scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method for supporting network slicing on a per-cell or per-tracking area (TA) level by enabling user equipment (UE) to indicate its slice support capabilities and the network to inform UE about slice availability in specific cells or TAs, using new or existing message formats to ensure compatibility and efficient slice management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented on a per-registration area (RA) basis, then network slicing can be supported with existing architecture, but slice availability cannot be differentiated across tracking areas (TAs) within an RA
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network slicing configuration from RA level to TA level. The AMF determines slice availability separately for each TA within an RA, and the UE is configured with TA-specific allowed NSSAI. This segmentation enables differentiated slice availability across TAs while maintaining compatibility with existing RA-based architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different slice configurations in different TAs within the same RA. Each TA can have its own allowed NSSAI based on local slice availability, enabling the network to provide customized slice offerings in different geographic areas without changing the overall RA-based architecture.
2Reliability
If slice availability is made heterogeneous across TAs, then service continuity can be improved in specific areas, but UE compatibility with existing releases deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with a list of TAs and their corresponding allowed NSSAI before the UE moves to a specific TA. The AMF determines and provides TA-specific slice information in advance, allowing the UE to seamlessly access available slices upon entering a TA without requiring real-time negotiation or compatibility checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing a mechanism that serves both legacy and advanced scenarios. The same TA-based configuration approach can be used whether slices are uniformly available across all TAs or heterogeneously available in specific TAs, allowing the network to maintain backward compatibility while enabling differentiated slice availability where needed.
3Measurement precision
If per-cell or per-TA slice management is implemented, then slice allocation precision is improved, but signaling overhead and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the TA identification and allowed NSSAI mapping from general RRC messaging and places it in a dedicated dedicatedRRCRelease message. This extraction allows the slice availability information to be efficiently transmitted only when needed (during RRC release), reducing continuous signaling overhead while maintaining precise TA-level slice information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously determine slice availability based on pre-configured TA-NSSAI mappings. When the UE enters a TA, it can independently identify the allowed slices for that TA without requiring additional network signaling, reducing ongoing management complexity and signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in communication with a telecommunication network is provided. The method includes transmitting an indication to the telecommunication network, the indication indicating an ability of the UE to support at least one slice on at least one of a per-cell level or a per-tracking area (TA) level. The UE and the telecommunication network support network slicing. Disclosed is a method of operating a User Equipment, UE, in communication with a telecommunication network, wherein the UE and the telecommunication network support network slicing, wherein the UE indicates to the telecommunication network its ability to support at least one slice on either a per-cell level or a per-Tracking Area, TA, level.